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Related Concept Videos

Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation01:22

Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation

Nitrogen is an essential element in biological systems, forming a crucial component of proteins, nucleic acids, and other cellular constituents. Many bacteria and archaea acquire nitrogen in the form of nitrate (NO₃⁻) or ammonia (NH₃), which are then assimilated into biomolecules through specific enzymatic pathways.Assimilatory Nitrate ReductionWhen nitrate enters the cell, it undergoes a two-step reduction process known as assimilatory nitrate reduction. Initially, the enzyme nitrate reductase...
Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II01:46

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
Redox Reactions01:27

Redox Reactions

Redox reactions are vital biochemical processes that underpin energy metabolism in cells. These reactions involve the transfer of electrons between molecules, occurring in tandem as oxidation and reduction. Oxidation refers to the loss of electrons, while reduction denotes their gain. This coupling ensures the seamless flow of electrons through metabolic pathways. For example, in bacterial metabolism, glucose undergoes oxidation to carbon dioxide, while oxygen is simultaneously reduced to...
Structure of Porins01:21

Structure of Porins

Mitochondria, chloroplasts, and gram-negative bacteria have transmembrane, beta-barrel proteins called porins to mediate the free diffusion of ions and metabolites across the membrane. Mitochondrial porin precursors contain conserved amino acid sequences called beta signals at their C-terminal. Beta signals have a  motif of PoXGXXHyXHy (Po-Polar, X-Any amino acid, G-Glycine, Hy-LargeHydrophobic), which are crucial for precursor recognition to initiate precursor assembly. Beta-barrel precursors...
Electron Transport Chain Components01:29

Electron Transport Chain Components

The electron transport chain (ETC) is a crucial metabolic pathway that facilitates energy conversion in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In eukaryotes, the ETC comprises four membrane-associated protein complexes in the inner mitochondrial membrane. In prokaryotes, the ETC in the plasma membrane can vary in composition, with fewer or different complexes depending on the organism and environmental conditions. These complexes transfer electrons from electron donors, such as NADH and FADH2, to...
Nitriles to Amines: LiAlH4 Reduction00:55

Nitriles to Amines: LiAlH4 Reduction

Nitriles are reduced to amines in the presence of strong reducing agents like lithium aluminum hydride through a typical nucleophilic acyl substitution. The reaction requires two equivalents of the reducing agent. The reducing agent acts as a source of hydride ions.
As shown below, the mechanism involves three steps. Firstly, the hydride ion acting as a nucleophile attacks the nitrile carbon to form an anion. In the second step, a second equivalent of the hydride ion attacks the anion to...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Protein Film Infrared Electrochemistry Demonstrated for Study of H2 Oxidation by a [NiFe] Hydrogenase
10:01

Protein Film Infrared Electrochemistry Demonstrated for Study of H2 Oxidation by a [NiFe] Hydrogenase

Published on: December 4, 2017

Structure and function of periplasmic nitrate reductase.

Chanakarn Mongkonpruthangkoon1, Nitai C Giri1, Partha Basu1

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Indiana University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, U.S.A.

Biochemical Society Transactions
|May 28, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This review covers periplasmic nitrate reductase (Nap), a key enzyme in nitrate reduction. It examines NapA structures and discusses its mechanism and the role of specific amino acid residues.

Keywords:
DMSO reductase familymechanismmolybdenum cofactornitrate reductaseoperon structurepterin conformation

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EPR Monitored Redox Titration of the Cofactors of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Nar1
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EPR Monitored Redox Titration of the Cofactors of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Nar1

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Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O
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Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 29, 2026

Protein Film Infrared Electrochemistry Demonstrated for Study of H2 Oxidation by a [NiFe] Hydrogenase
10:01

Protein Film Infrared Electrochemistry Demonstrated for Study of H2 Oxidation by a [NiFe] Hydrogenase

Published on: December 4, 2017

EPR Monitored Redox Titration of the Cofactors of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Nar1
06:01

EPR Monitored Redox Titration of the Cofactors of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Nar1

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Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O
08:05

Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O

Published on: October 7, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Enzymology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Nitrate reductases are essential molybdenum cofactor (Moco)-containing enzymes.
  • They catalyze the initial step in nitrate assimilation, dissimilation to ammonia, and denitrification.
  • Nitrate reductases are classified into four distinct groups.

Purpose of the Study:

  • This review focuses on periplasmic nitrate reductase (Nap).
  • It analyzes the structural data of NapA within the broader DMSO reductase family.
  • The review also explores the enzymatic mechanism and the significance of specific amino acid residues.

Main Methods:

  • Structural analysis of NapA.
  • Comparative analysis with other DMSO reductase family members.
  • Review of existing literature on nitrate reductase mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Detailed discussion of available NapA structures.
  • Contextualization of NapA within the DMSO reductase family.
  • Exploration of enzymatic mechanisms and key amino acid roles.

Conclusions:

  • Periplasmic nitrate reductase (Nap) plays a crucial role in nitrogen cycling.
  • Structural insights into NapA aid in understanding its function.
  • Further research into specific residues can elucidate enzyme mechanisms.